Pack frame



W. H. DEAN PACK FRAME Nov. 28, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 25, 1966INVENTOR. WILLIAM H. DEAN W. H. DEAN Nov. 28, 1967 PACK FRAME 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 25, 1966 INVENTOR. WILLIAM. DEAN H9,hNknhNmnNh United States Patent 3,355,075 PACK FRAME William H. Dean,5634 E. Wilshire Drive, Scottsdale, Ariz. 85257 Filed July 25, 1966,Ser. No. 573,147 21 Claims. (Cl. 22425) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apack frame having a substantially rigid frame provided with shoulderengaging straps, and a hip engaging plate or means adapted to bear onthe rear of human hips, and having a flexible connection between the hipplate and the lower part of the pack frame.

This invention relates to a pack frame, and more particularly, to a packframe for carriage on the back of a human body.

Pack frames have become quite popular due to many advantages thereofwith respect to a conventional ruck sack or flexible bags to whichshoulder engaging straps are connected.

A common fault of the pack bag or ruck sack is that the load carried insuch a sack tends to bulge it away from the human body and to disposethe center of gravity of the load in the sack outward and rearwardlyfrom the body in a cantilever fashion so as to create a substantialforce moment as compared to a comparable load carried close to the bodyand properly held in place by a substantially rigid pack frame.

Pack frames also have the advantage that they are substantially rigidand may hold a vertically elongated load in neat position with thecenter of gravity of the load close to the body.

Further, pack frames have also had another advantage, that being thedivision of load between the shoulders and the hips of the wearer. Priorart pack frames have utilized shoulder engaging straps and, also, hipsurrounding straps which are generally connected to opposite verticalrail members of the pack frame so as to bring a cross strap between thevertical members of the frame to bear on the upper rear portion of thehips.

This arrangement, however, creates a substantially rigid couple betweenthe shoulders of the wearer and his hips, so that motions of the hipsrelative to the shoulders and twisting or bending of the wearers torsois resisted by the rigidity of the pack frame. Accordingly, each walkingstep or motion tends to cause the hip surrounding structure rigidlyconnected to the lower portion of the pack frame to create a tuggingstress on a shoulder strap which is transmitted to the shoulders of thewearer.

When carrying heavy loads in this manner, a substantial amount ofworking of the rigid frame between the hips and the shoulders transferhip movement stresses to the shoulder straps and consequently, tends tocreate undue fatigue of the wearer.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a packframe having shoulder straps, the pack frame being substantially rigidand provided with a hip engaging means which is movably connected to alower portion of the pack frame, so as to permit relative movement ofthe pack frame and the hips about a vertical axis, also, about ahorizontal side to side axis and, additionally about a forward andrearward horizontal axis, whereby the hips of a pack frame wearer maymove in a universal direction without tending to move the frame relativeto the wearers shoulders, but which permits the hip engagnig means to beloaded against the body by means of the load on the frame.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pack frame which issubstantially rigid and provided with shoulder straps and a hip engagingmeans having a plate member adapted to bear on the rear of a personships and having a universal joint means interconnecting the plate memberand the lower portion of the frame and a belt connected to the oppositeends of the plate member and surrounding the body of the wearer to holdthe plate member firmly engaged with the rear portions of the wearerships.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pack frame comprising asubstantially rigid frame member provided with shoulder engaging strapsand a hip surrounding means comprising a plate held to the back of apersons hips by a belt and universal joint means comprising a ballsocket connection between the plate and the bottomor lower portion ofthe frame so as to permit free pivotal movement of the hips relative tothe frame to compensate for the difference in movements of the personships and shoulders during walking, climbing and other outdoor maneuversin which a person carries a pack.

Another object of the invention is to provide substantial modificationsof the present invention.

Another object of the invention is to provide a universal connectionbetween the bottom of a pack frame and a persons hips, which includesflexible fabric belt means secured to a flexible fabric band extendingbetween opposite sides of a pack frame.

Another object of the invention is to provide a resilient connectionbetween a hip engaging means and a lower portion of the pack frame so asto provide substantially universal movement between the hip connectionmeans and the lower part of the pack frame.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention may be apparentfrom the following specification, appended claims and accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a pack frame in accordance with thepresent invention and showing the pack frame worn by a human;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged rear elevational View of the pack frame of theinvention taken from the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan sectional view taken from the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 44of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken from the line 5-5 of FIG. 4, showingvarying positions of a universal joint means of the invention by brokenlines;

FIG. 6 is a plan sectional view similar to FIG. 3, but a modification ofthe present invention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken from the line 7-7 of FIG.6;

FIG. 8 is a plan sectional view similar to FIG. 3, but showing a furthermodification of the present invention; and- FIG. 9 is a fragmentarysectional view taken from the line 99 of FIG. 8.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the pack frame of theinvention comprises a pair of substantially vertical side or railmembers 10 and 12 interconnected by substantially horizontal bars 14, 16and 18. These bars may be fused or otherwise connected to thesubstantially vertical members 10 and 12, as desired.

As shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings, the cross member 18 is curved in adirection toward the rear 20, thus, the other cross members 14, 16 and18 may be likewise curved in a rearward direction, such that the convexside of the curvature is rearward.

Pins 22 and 24 provide means near the upper portion of the frame inconnection with the cross bar 14 for the securement of upper endportions 26 and 28 of shoulder engaging straps 30 and 32. These strapsare provided with normally lower end portions 34 and 36 connected tolower portions 38 and 40 of the frame by a suitable pivotal connection.

A conventional flexible webbing strap 42 may be made of fabric or othersuitable material and is secured in surrounding relation with thevertical members 10 and 12 and may serve as a back engaging strap in theconventional manner.

Secured between the cross members 16 and 18 is a vertically disposedchannel or other suitable structure, designated 43. U-bolts 44 and 46partially surround the cross members 16 and 18, respectively, and securethe channel 43 in fixed relation with the bars 16 and 18 at anintermediate location between the vertical side members 10 and 12.

The channel member 43 is provided with a plurality of openings 48vertically spaced therein and these openings 48 are adapted to receive abolt 50 which forms a shank for a spherical ball joint member 52. Theshank 50 is provided with a pair of jam nuts 54 and 56 screw threaded onthe shank 50 and jammed against the forward and rearward surfaces of thechannel 43 surrounding one of the openings 48. Thus, the ball jointmember 52 is projected forwardly of the frame and is engaged in a ballsocket structure 58, shown best in FIGS. 3, 4 and of the drawings. Thisball socket structure 58 is provided with one hemispherical portion 60indented in a plate 62. Another substantially hemispherical portion ofthe socket structure 58 is provided in a socket member 64 having anopening 66 through which the shank 50 extends. The opening 66 is ofconsiderably larger diameter than the shank 50 so as to allow angularfreedom of movement of the shank in the opening 66, as indicated bybroken lines in FIG. 5 of the drawings. The socket member 64 is securedby bolts 68 and 70 to the plate 62, the bolts 68 and 70 extendingthrough the plate 62 and the socket member 64, all as shown best in FIG.5 of the drawings.

The plate member 62 is elongated horizontally and slightly curved in aconcavo-convex direction, such that the concave side of the plate 62 isdirected forwardly and secured thereon is a soft pad 72, this pad 72being adapted to engage the rearward portion 74 of a humans hips, asshown in FIG. 1 of the drawings.

Secured to opposite ends 76 and 78 of the plate 62 are belt portions 80and 82 which are provided with a buckle structure 84 adapted to connectthese belt portions 80 and 82 at the belly side of the wearer or in thefront of the wearers hips.

The plate 62 together with the belt portions 80 and 82 and the buckle orfastener 84 constitutes hip surrounding structure in accordance with thepresent invention. The belt portions 86 and S2 and the buckle 84 areadapted to provide secure fastening of the plate 62, such that the pad72 on the front of the plate, may be firmly engaged with the rearwardportion 74 of the wearers hips and in this manner, the plate 62 and pad72 may be brought to bear on the upper rearward portion of the wearerships and to help share the load with the shoulder straps 30 and 32.

It will be seen that the universal joint structure provided by the ballsocket joint 58 permits universal movement of the substantially rigidframe composed of the vertical members and 12 and the horizontal bars14, 16 and 18 relative to the plate 62 and the belt portions 80 and 82.The relative movement of the frame and the hip surrounding structureabout the center of the ball joint 52 permits freedom of movementbetween the wearers hips and the shoulders, such that normal hipmovements and flexing of the wearers spine does not create any relativeforce reactions between the hip surrounding structure and the shoulderstraps and 32. Accordingly, the ball joint member 52 in the socketstructure, shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings, permits pivotalmovement of the plate 62 relative to the frame in directions of thearrows A and B about a horizontal axis directed forwardly andrearwardly, as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings,

4, also, in the directions of the arrows E and F about a vertical axis,as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings, and, further, permits pivotalmovement about a horizontal side to side directed axis, as indicated bythe arrows C and D in FIG. 1 of the drawings.

It will be appreciated that when the belt members and 82 aresufficiently tightened and secured by the buckle 84, that the plate 62and its pad 72 bear comfortably and firmly on the upper portion of thewearers hips and may be so adjusted together with the length of theshoulder straps 30 and 32, so as to share the load with the shoulderstraps and to permit a person comfortably to carry a substantiallyheavier load than the shoulder straps would normally permit.Furthermore, this prevents the pack frame from moving forward andbackward during walking motions and holds it securely in connection withthe wearer, while at the same time, permitting complete freedom of thewearers hips relative to the upper torso and permitting thesubstantially rigid frame to support a pack load in close proximity tothe body without permitting the load to bulge outwardly, as is commonwith a conventional ruck sack. The substantially rigid frame isimportant in order to maintain the shape and the elevation of the loadand to hold the center of gravity of the load as close to the body, aspossible. It is therefore important that the substantially rigid framebe employed to maintain a proper disposition of the load on the wearersback inasmuch as the hip plate 62 and hip surrounding structure inconnection therewith helps the wearer share the load with his shoulderstraps. It is important that when the hips move in normal walking orclimbing actions, that movements of the hips do not transmit forcesthrough the substantially rigid frame to the shoulder straps and createundue stress and Working of the wearers body.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the plate 62 is provided withan upper edge 63 and a lower edge 65. The universal joint or ball socketmechanism 58 at its forward and rearward-1y disposed horizontal axis, iscloser to the upper edge 63 than to the lower edge 65 so that a rotatingforce moment imposed by weight of the frame on the universal jointstructure 58, when it tends to pivot the lower edge 65 of the plate 62toward the human body is resisted by the relatively greater portion ofthe plate 62 below the axis of the universal joint.

It will be understood that the axes of the strap portions 80 and 82 aredisposed closer to the upper edge 63 than to the lower edge 65 so thatwhen these straps are tightened, they tend to hold the upper edge of theplate 62 toward the body, as the force downward on the universal joint58 tends to rotate the plate in a counterclockwise direction, as shownin FIG. 1 of the drawings. According- 1y, it will be understood that theforces exerted on the plate in a downward direction by the universaljoint mechanism 58 may be so distributed by the location of the axes ofthe straps 80 and 82 nearer the upper edge 63 than the lower edge 65,respectively, and, further, that the disposition of the ball joint oruniversal joint mechanism 58 near the edge 63 also tends to provide acooperative result. Thus, that loading on the plate 62 may be disposedsuch that uniform pressure or substantially uniform pressure of the pad72 on the upper back portion of the wearers hips may be accomplished.

It will be understood, that opposite ends 76 and 78 of the plate 62 maybe extended, as desired, toward opposite sides of the human body andcurved therearound so as to conform to the curvature of the wearers backand to thereby be self-locating in the event the straps 80 and 82 aredisconnected or in the event the wearer does not desire to fasten thesestraps around the frontal portion of the wearers body.

In the modification, as shown in FIG. 6, a flexible fabric webbing strap90 is looped'around the vertical frame members 10 and 12 and secured bya cord 92, such that this flexible webbing strap abridges the verticalframe members 10 and 12 at opposite sides of the frame and provides aflexible support adapted to be located adjacent the rear portion 74 ofthe wearer, as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. The webbing strap 90being located in su stantially the same plane as the plate 62 directlyabove the horizontal cross member 18.

A flexible fabric belt 94 is secured by stitches 98 to the webbing '90at an intermediate location between opposite vertical frame members and12 and opposite ends of the belt 94 are secured by a buckle 96 at thefrontal portion of the wearers hips.

The flexible fabric belt 94 secured to the flexible fabric webbing 90 bystitches 98, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, provides for a universal jointaction or relative movement between thewearers hips and thesubstantially rigid frame in a similar manner as does the ball socketmechanism 58, hereinbefore described. The fabric of the belt 94 andwebbing 90 provides for relative flexing, as indicated by broken linesin FIG. 7. However, it will be appreciated that this modification ormodified structure, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, may not bear as great aload as the ball socket mechanism 58, hereinbefore described.

In the modification, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, an angle clip 100 issecured to the plate 62 at its rear side by means of a rivet 101. Theangle member extends rearwardly relative to the plate 62 and securedthereto by a rivet 102 is a flexible member 104. This flexible member104 is preferably a rubberized fabric capable of flexing in alldirections.

The flexible 0r resilient structure of the rubberized fabric member 104is secured .by a rivet 106 to a forwardly extending leg of a secondangle member 108 and one leg of this angle member 108 is secured by abolt 46 to the channel member 43 and the bolt 46 may be located in anyone of the holes 48, hereinbefore described.

It will be appreciated that the modifications, shown in FIGS. 8 and 9,provides for relative freedom of movement between the plate 62 and theframe of the invention in a similar manner as does the ball socketmechanism 58, hereinbefore described.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications of the present invention may be resorted to in a mannerlimited only by a just interpretation of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a pack frame for carriage on the back of a human body thecombination of: a substantially rigid frame having a longitudinal axisnormally disposed substantially vertical, said frame having upper andlower ends, opposite sides and forward and rearward portions; firstmeans for securing shoulder engaging straps to an upper portion of saidframe; a pair of shoulder straps having respective first ends connectedby said first means to said frame; said shoulder straps having secondrespective ends; second means for securing said second ends to saidframe at portions thereof relatively lower than said first means; a hipengaging means disposed to surround human hips, said hip engaging meanshaving disengageable belt portions and belt fastening means for securingsaid belt portions together and adapted for holding said hip engagingmeans in surrounding position on the human hips; and movable connectionmeans connecting said frame to said hip engaging means, said movableconnection means adapted to permit relative movement of said hipengaging means and said frame about a vertical axis, about a side toside directed horizontal axis, and about a forward and rearward directedhorizontal axis.

2. The invention, as defined in claim 1, wherein: said hip engagingmeans comprises a plate portion adapted to be supported on rear portionsof human hips, said movable connection means being a universal jointcomprising a ball and socket mechanism connecting said frame and saidplate portion.

3. The invention, as defined in claim 1, wherein: said hip engagingmeans comprises a plate portion adapted to be supported on rear portionsof human hips, said mov- 6 able connection means being a universal jointmechanism. 4. The invention, as defined in claim 2, wherein: said plateportion is constructed of a semi-rigid material and said hip engagingmeans comprises said belt portions connected to said plate portion andadapted to extend around opposite sides of human hips, said beltfastening means adapted to secure said belt portions together at afrontal portion of a human body in the hip area thereof.

5. The invention, as defined in claim 1, wherein: said movableconnection means comprises a flexible fabric structure.

6. The invention, as defined in claim 5, wherein: said flexible fabricstructure is secured to opposite sides of said frame and extends fromside to side of said frame, said hip engaging means being a fabric belt,said fabric structure secured to said fabr c belt at a location betweenopposite sides of said frame so as to permit universal joint flexuralmovement of said fabric between opposite sides of said frame.

7. The invention, as defined in claim 1, wherein: said movableconnection means comprises a resilient structure interconnecting saidframe and said hip engaging means.

8. The invention, as defined in claim 2, wherein: said ball and socketmechanism includes a ball socket means connected to said plate; a ballin said socket means; said ball having an extending shank connected tosaid frame.

9. The invention, as defined in claim 8, wherein: said frame is providedwith a substantially vertically disposed member at a locationapproximately midway between opposite sides of said frame; saidvertically disposed member having bolt connection means extending aconsiderable distance vertically thereon; and said shank having anexternally screw threaded portion and means to screw threadably fix saidshank in various elevated positions longitudinally with respect to saidbolt connection means.

10. The invention, as defined in claim 9, wherein: said plate portionbeing elongated and having first and second opposite ends extendinggenerally in a direction toward respective opposite sides of said frame.

11. The invention, as defined in claim 19, wherein: said hip engagingmeans having said belt portions connected to said opposite ends of saidplate, each belt portion having one end secured to one of said oppositeends of said plate portion and said belt portions each having anopposite end connected together by said fastening means.

12. The invention, as defined in claim 11, wherein: said plate portionis provided with a generally concave forward surface and a generallyconvex rearward surface.

13. The invention, as defined in claim 12, wherein: said plate isconstructed of a thin resilient material.

14. In a pack frame for carriage on the back of a human body thecombination of: a substantially rigid frame having a longitudinal axisnormally disposed substantially vertically, posite sides and forward andrearward portions; first means for securing shoulder engaging straps toan upper portion of said frame; a pair of shoulder straps havingrespective first ends connected by said first means to said frame;shoulder straps having second respective ends; second means for securingsaid shoulder straps to said frame at portions thereof relatively lowerthan said first means; and hip engaging means disposed to surround humanhips, said hip engaging means having disengageable belt portions; beltfastening means for securing said belt portions together and adapted forholding said hip engaging means in surrounding position on human hips;and movable connection means connecting said frame to said hip engagingmeans at a location between said opposite sides of said frame, saidmovable connection means adapted to permit relative movement of said hipengaging means and said frame about a vertical axis, about a side toside directed horizontal axis, and about a forward and rearward directedhorizontal axis.

15. The invention, as defined in claim 14, wherein: said hip engagingmeans comprises a plate portion adapted to said frame having upper andlower ends, op

be supported on rear portions of human hips; said movable connectionmeans being a universal joint comprising a ball and socket mechanismconnecting said frame and said plate portion.

16. The invention, as defined in claim 15, wherein: a frontal portion ofsaid plate portion is provided with a soft resilient padding structure.

17. In a pack frame for carriage on the back of a human body thecombination of: a substantially rigid frame having a longitudinal axisnormally disposed substantially vertical, said frame having upper andlower ends, opposite sides and forward and rearward portions; firstmeans for securing shoulder engaging straps to an upper portion of saidframe; a pair of shoulder Straps having respective first ends connectedby said first means to said frame; said shoulder straps having secondrespective ends; second means for securing said second ends to saidframe at portions thereof relatively lower than said first means; a hipengaging means disposed to engage rearward portions of human hips, andmovable connection means conmeeting said frame to said hip engagingmeans, said movable connection means adapted to permit relative movementof said hip engaging means and said frame about a vertical axis, about aside to side directed horizontal axis, and about a forward and rearwarddirected horizontal axis.

18. The invention, as defined in claim 17, wherein: said hip engagingmeans comprises a plate portion adapted to be supported on rear portionsof human hips, said movable connection means being a universal jointcomprising a ball and socket mechanism connecting said frame and saidPlate portion.

19. The invention, as defined in claim 1, wherein: said hip engagingmeans comprises a plate portion adapted to be supported on rear portionsof human hips; said plate portion having upper and lower edges, saidbelt portions U and said movable connection means connected to saidplate portion nearer said up er edge than said lower edge.

20. In a pack frame for carriage on the back of a human body thecombination of: a substantially rigid frame having a longitudinal axisnormally disposed Substantially vertical, said frame having upper andlower ends, opposite sides and forward and rearward portions; firstmeans for securing shoulder engaging straps to an upper portion of saidframe; a pair of shoulder straps having respective first ends connectedby said first means to said frame; said shoulder straps having secondrespective ends; second means for securing said second ends to saidframe at portions thereof relatively lower than said first means; a hipengaging means having a plate member disposed to engage rearwardportions of human hips, and movable connection means connecting saidframe to said plate member, said movable connection means adapted topermit relative movement of said hip engaging means and said frame abouta forward and rearward directed horizontal axis.

21. The invention, as defined in claim 20, wherein: said movableconnection means is also adapted to permit said relative movement abouta vertical axis.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,104,486 1/1938 Johansen 224-82,133,717 10/1938 Robes 224'9 X 3,191,828 6/1965 Senne 2245 X FOREIGNPATENTS 57,286 11/ 1936 Norway.

GERALD M. FORLENZA, Primary Examiner.

R. J. SPAR, Assistant Examiner.

1. IN A PACK FRAME FOR CARRIAGE ON THE BACK OF A HUMAN BODY THECOMBINATION OF: A SUBSTANTIALLY RIGID FRAME HAVING A LONGITUDINAL AXISNORMALLY DISPOSED SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL, SAID FRAME HAVING UPPER ANDLOWER ENS, OPPOSITE SIDES AND FORWARD AND REARWARD PORTIONS; FIRST MEANSFOR SECURING SHOULDER ENGAGING STRAPS TO AN UPPER PORTION OF SAID FRAME;A PAIR OF SHOULDER STRAPS HAVING RESPECTIVE FIRST ENDS CONNECTED BY SAIDFIRST MEANS TO SAID FRAME; SAID SHOULDER STRAPS HAVING SECOND RESPECTIVEENDS; SECOND MEANS FOR SECURING SAID SECOND ENDS TO SAID FRAME ATPORTIONS THEREOF RELATIVELY LOWER THAN SAID FIRST MEANS; A HIP ENGAGINGDISPOSED TO SURROUND HUMAN HIPS, SAID HIP ENGAGING MEANS HAVINGDISENGAGEABLE BELT PORTIONS AND BELT FASTENING MEANS FOR SECURING SAIDBELT PORTIONS TOGETHER AND ADAPTED FOR HOLDING SAID HIP ENGAGING MEANSIN SURROUNDING POSITION ON THE HUMAN HIPS; AND MOVABLE CONNECTION MEANSCONNECTING SAID FRAME TO SAID HIP ENGAGING MEANS, SAID MOVABLECONNECTION MEANS ADAPTED TO PERMIT RELATIVE MOVEMENT OF SAID HIPENGAGING MEANS AND SAID FRAME ABOUT A VERTICAL AXIS, ABOUT A SIDE TOSIDE DIRECTED HORIZONTAL AXIS, AND ABOUT A FORWARD AND REARWARD DIRECTEDHORIZONTAL AXIS.